Signed by Governor Matt Meyer

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that prohibits utility companies from using customer funds for non-regulated activities and to recover certain expenses in Delaware.

Highlights:

• Requires that the commission ensure that all regulated utilities do not use customer funds to subsidize nonregulated activities (Sec. 1).

• Requires that a public utility not recover the following costs from its customers, whether as part of proposed base rate costs, a rider, or other charges (Sec. 1) :

• Expenses for lobbying or other activities meant to influence the outcome of any local, state, or federal legislation, ordinance, resolution, or ballot measure;

• Organizational or membership dues, or other contributions, to any organization, association, institution, corporation, or other entity to the extent that the dues or contributions are used for lobbying or other similar activities intended to influence the outcome of any local, state, or federal legislation, ordinance, resolution, rule, ballot measure, or regulatory decision;

• Contributions to political candidates, campaign committees, issue committees, or independent expenditure committees, or similar political expenses;

• Charitable giving expenses, including contributions to organizations; or

• Advertising and public relations expenses that do not directly relate to a purpose or program that is required or authorized under statute or commission rule or order.

Full Bill Text